Last updated: 02/17/2009

Open surgery of the intestines is indicated in acute cases. In the surgery, the intestinal segment containing the diverticulum, usually the ileum or upper intestines, is removed. After the diverticulum is removed, the healthy portions of the intestine...

are joined together. Some debate exists about whether surgery for asymptomatic Meckel's diverticulum found incidentally is recommended. Some researchers have shown that preventive removal of the diverticulum is less risky than surgical complications, and point to the fact that 6.4% of patients with Meckel's diverticulum develop complications of the condition over their lifetime.

Depending on the surgeon's decision, the operation may be minimal, isolating and then removing the pouch containing the inflammation, or it may be more extensive. In the latter cases, surrounding tissue is removed due to the presence of pervasive inflammation, obstruction, or incarceration in an inguinal hernia (Littre's hernia). Removing additional tissue is done to prevent recurrences. Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of laparoscopic, or minimally invasive diverticulectomy, utilizing small incisions and video imagery via tiny cameras. No long-term studies of this procedure have been conducted.

Surgery is performed under general anesthetic. The small intestine is isolated and the diverticulum is removed, sometimes with a small segment of the intestines. Operative techniques are used to conjoin the end sections of the intestines that have been severed. Some surgeons prefer to perform two surgeries, and do not join together the intestinal sections until some healing of the segments has occurred. In this case, a stoma, or temporary outlet for tubal connection to the intestines, is created in the wall of the abdomen where an external appliance, called an ostomy, can receive waste until the intestinal sections are rejoined.